Raja Ampat Indonesia is one of the favorite vacation destinations for tourists from all over the world. Its nature and underwater stunning scenery are the…

Flights to Raja Ampat Ultimate Direction

By rai2 on August 31, 2018

Indonesia is famous for the fascinating Bali Island and almost all travelers make this attraction as a dream destination. But what about the east part? Well, if you know already how beautiful it is, you might want to come here! But do you know about flights to Raja Ampat?
Unlike Bali that has a big international airport and is landed by planes from various airlines, Raja Ampat has its own airport but it’s still at a pioneering level. This is because of the geographical condition which consists of small islands and also somewhat hidden. However, you don’t have to worry since there is a bigger airstrip nearby.
Unfortunately, there is no foreign airline landing in Sorong Indonesia. Only small planes are flying there (not Boeing Dreamliner or jumbo Airbus A280), more of planes with 3-3 or 2-2 seat configuration. Some airlines open flight routes there, we summarize it in detail for you so as not to be confused and no longer in doubt for a vacation to the world’s paradise:

Flights from Jakarta to Sorong

There are two schedules of a direct flight from Jakarta (Indonesian capital) to Domine Eduard Osok Airport in Sorong, Papua in one day:

Batik Air, depart at 00.30 Western Indonesian Time and arrive at 06.30 Eastern Indonesian Time from Soekarno Hatta International Airport, Tangerang.

Garuda Indonesia, depart at 00.20 Western Indonesian Time and arrive at 06.35 Eastern Indonesian Time from Soekarno Hatta International Airport, Tangerang.

There are two schedules for flights from Surabaya (Capital of East Java) to Domine Eduard Osok Airport in Sorong, Papua in one day:

Batik Air, depart at 05.00 Western Indonesian Time and arrive at 10.15
Eastern Indonesian Time from Juanda International Airport, Sidoarjo.

Sriwijaya air, depart at 20.20 Western Indonesian Time and arrive at 07.25 Eastern Indonesian Time from Juanda International Airport, Sidoarjo.

There is no direct flight from Denpasar (Capital of Bali) to Domine Eduard Osok Airport in Sorong, Papua. There are only transit flights to Makassar, the capital city of South Sulawesi Province. The mileage along with the fastest layover transit time is 14 hours 15 minutes using Garuda Indonesia airlines.
Well, if you’ve arrived at Sorong, then how to get to Raja Ampat? Actually, there are flights to Raja Ampat because there is a pioneer or small airport but can only be landed by pioneer planes too. You can fly with Susi Air from Sorong (Domine Eduard Osok Airport) to Marinda Raja Ampat Airport but the schedule is tentative or uncertain.
If you have a fixed vacation schedule, there are two other options, namely continuing your trip to Raja Ampat by speedboat or slow boat or directly join the live cruise ship from Sorong Indonesia port.
In order for you to not get confused, we present a detailed way to get to Raja Ampat Indonesia from Sorong:
When you have arrived in Sorong, you have to continue the trip to Rakyat Sorong Port by public transportation or taxi. Then, you can continue the sea journey via ferry to Waisai that takes around two hours. Waisai which is located on Waigeo Island is also called as the capital of Raja Ampat. There are ships that depart to Waisai every day but only at 09.00 and 14.00 WIT. You better check the schedule first to get the timing right.
For your information, Raja Ampat is divided into four major islands, namely Waigeo with the city centers are Waisai, Salawati, Batanta, and Misool. When you arrived in Waisai, a traveler has officially arrived in Raja Ampat.
However, before starting a vacation in Raja Ampat, a traveler is required to pay an entry fee to get an Entrance Sign Card (KTM) at the Raja Ampat Disparbud office in Waisai and Sorong City. The retribution fee is IDR 500 thousand for Indonesian tourists and IDR 1 million for foreign tourists. Even though it might be expensive, the ticket is valid for one year. So, if you want to go back and forth to Raja Ampat, you don’t have to pay retribution anymore.
That is the option if you take a boat to Sorong. What if you don’t take flights to Raja Ampat and choose to liveaboard cruise? This is even easier because it departs directly from Sorong port, so you don’t need to go back and forth twice. But if you can’t get on board for too long (because the duration to get around the destination in Raja Ampat by ship takes at least 10 days and a maximum of 14 days) then you can take the first option. You don’t have to worry because there are many Raja Ampat accommodations ready to welcome you with beautiful views and excellent service.
Next, we have some Raja Ampat Accommodation recommendations for you:

Misool Eco Resort, Misool Island

Raja4divers, Pef Island

Papua Paradise Eco Resort, Birie Island

Papua Explorers Dive Resort, Pinsilim Beach

Raja Ampat Biodiversity Resort, Yenanas Beach

Hamueco Raja Ampat Dive Resort

Raja Ampat Dive Lodge, Mansuar Island

Waiwo Dive Resort, Waisai City

Meridian Adventure Marina Club and Dive Resort, Waisai

Kri Eco Resort, Kri Island

Pandawa Resort, Waisai

Raja Ampat Doberai Eco Resort

You can choose according to your budget and needs. There are overwater bungalows, private villas and various other types of accommodation. For, those who are with their partner, you might want an intimate hotel, right? Now, what if you go with your family? Don’t worry because there are also family rooms or family villas available.
Now you’re not confused anymore, aren’t you? Let’s summarize the holiday tips to Raja Ampat Indonesia:

Know the Regular Ship Schedule
After you arrive at Sorong City, then you have to take a regular boat from the port to Raja Ampat. The ticket prices for regular ships are definitely cheap, although it is not as fast as a speedboat. For your information, the schedule of regular ships departing to Raja Ampat is available for three days, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Time of departure is at 09.00
Eastern Indonesian Time or 14.00 Eastern Indonesian Time. The ticket price for one way trip is IDR 120 thousand per person.

Choosing a Tour Package from a Travel Agent
Actually, you can plan your own itinerary. But if you don’t want to bother planning your trip, and you have sufficient funds, you can choose the tour package provided by the travel agent. Don’t worry, the travel agent usually has a large selection of packages offered and adjusted to the funds you have. Of course, you must first make sure that the travel agent you are going to use is truly trusted. Make sure you don’t get cheated on bu the travel agent after you spend a lot of money.

Come at the Right Time
Traveling by sea certainly will not be separated from the weather factor. There are several good months for a vacation to Bali. Likewise when you travel to Raja Ampat. If you come in the wrong season and month, you might be stuck in the harbor without having the opportunity to travel due to high sea waves. You surely don’t want to waste your travel time with nothing but to wait for the waves to calm down, do you?

So, when is the right time to travel to Raja Ampat? From October to April, the waves in Raja Ampat area are not too big. Although the weather conditions are unpredictable due to global warming, the sea waves in Raja Ampat around May to mid-June, and in the last two weeks of September are usually good enough for passenger ships.
Hopefully, our guidance can help you plan your vacation even though there are no flights to Raja Ampat! Happy diving and playing with the diverse underwater fauna. Pamper your eyes with the beauty that only exists in Indonesia.